Ravana Falls is entrenched in myth and folklore. It is believed that the demon King Ravana, from the epic Ramayan, hid Sita in the cave behind the waterfall after he kidnapped her and brought her back to Lanka.

The falls have been named after the legendary king Ravana, which is connected to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to legend, it is said that Ravana (who was the king of Sri Lanka at the time) had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, now simply known as the Ravana Ella Cave. The reason for the kidnapping is said to be a revenge for slicing off the nose of his sister by Rama (husband of Sita) and his brother Laxmana. At the time, the cave was surrounded with thick forests in the midst of wilderness. It is also believed that Rama’s queen bathed in a pool that accumulated the water falling from this waterfall.They believed that Ravana has played the Ravanahatha over here.

Ravana Falls is a three tier waterfall; the first tier is the most accessible, and most popular, since it’s just a few meters from the road, but for the more adventurous you should trek up to the second and third tier, which is a harder climb but far more rewarding. During the dry season, the cascade drastically reduces in size, but once the monsoon rains come rushing down, the waterfall swells up and forms many rock pools– this is when Ravana Falls is at its most magnificent.